Smith's four catches leave South Africa chasing the game
The Proteas were bowled out for 284 in reply to Australia's 390 at Kingsmead, and Steve Smith took a Test fielding record on the way.
Durban — South Africa were bowled out for 284 on the third day of the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead, conceding a first-innings lead of 106, in a day's play shaped as much by Steve Smith's hands as by Australia's bowlers, Daily Maverick reports.
Bad light brought an early close in Durban with Australia in control.
A record in the slips
Smith, 37, held four catches. They took him to 221 in Test cricket, past England's Joe Root on 220, and made him the leading catcher among players who are not wicketkeepers.
His victims included the South African captain, Temba Bavuma, who made 3 from 27 balls before falling to Nathan Lyon; David Bedingham, caught off Pat Cummins one short of a half-century; and Kyle Verreynne, again off Lyon.
How the innings went
South Africa resumed on 27 for one. Aiden Markram and Bedingham put on 84 for the second wicket before Markram was caught at first slip off Mitchell Starc.
Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs added 56, and Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj 52 lower down, but nobody went on to a big score. Mulder made 30 and Marco Jansen a brisk 26 from 20 balls.
Cummins finished with three for 54. Lyon took two wickets, and Starc and Josh Hazlewood shared others.
The match so far
Australia made 390 in their first innings, built on 190 from Matt Renshaw. Mulder was South Africa's best bowler with four for 68.
It is Australia's first Test series in South Africa since the ball-tampering affair of 2018.
This report is based on reporting by Daily Maverick.
